Roberts says Carlisle, a manufacturer/distributor of construction materials and industrial components, is profiting from "great" commercial construction in Charlotte -- and expansion throughout the world.

Is the commercial real estate market softening? "Absolutely not," says the CEO. Both locally and globally, markets "still have a lot of momentum."

"Even if China only grows 8 percent, it's still a great market." He also looks to India as a barely-tapped engine of construction growth.

As North Carolina's economy grows, so does the challenge to power it. Rogers says Duke Energy is building new power plants and "looking at gas, coal and nuclear" -- and keeping an open mind about any serious alternatives to carbon-emitting fuels.

"If we're serious about the environment in this country," says the CEO, nuclear energy is the only "viable, critical" option to meet energy needs while lessening carbon output.

Rogers' firm was praised at the Clinton Summit last week for its efforts to boost clean power generation, including an ambitious $25 billion annual commitment to energy efficiency programs.

France has drawn diverse new investors into the sport including John Henry, the principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing, luxury resort developer Bobby Ginn, and Montreal Canadiens hockey club owner George Gillett.

France discusses the strong continued influx of corporate sponsorship into America's fastest- growing sport. This week, Molson Coors Brewing inked a five-year, $20 million deal for Coors Light to be the official beer of NASCAR.

The CEO expects more ad revenue to come: The race cars themselves are "rolling billboards," side-stepping sponsors' concerns that viewers will fast-forward through TV ad spots.